00:09

Keep standing. Put your hands together for webby award winning, Sean Purry,

Keep standing. Put your hands together for webby award winning, Sean Purry,

00:14

Sampar, and special guest Andrew Wilkinson.

Sampar, and special guest Andrew Wilkinson.

00:17

Come on out you guys.

Come on out you guys.

00:24

Some mics.

Some mics.

00:33

Alright.

Alright.

00:34

So we are, we are backstage and we saw, like, all the bands that I've played here. It's like France Ferdinand and, like, the killers and all these cool things. And,

So we are, we are backstage and we saw, like, all the bands that I've played here. It's like France Ferdinand and, like, the killers and all these cool things. And,

00:43

I heard the sound guys. First of all, sound guys. I wanna apologize. I heard them talking before this, and they're like, what the fuck is this?

I heard the sound guys. First of all, sound guys. I wanna apologize. I heard them talking before this, and they're like, what the fuck is this?

00:53

Like, there's, like, is this, like, a rich guy's birthday party? What is this? I think they thought it was a graduation happening.

Like, there's, like, is this, like, a rich guy's birthday party? What is this? I think they thought it was a graduation happening.

01:00

So sound, guys.

So sound, guys.

01:02

Sorry. But it is what it is. You always wanted to be a star. You wanted to walk out to a sold out venue, and,

Sorry. But it is what it is. You always wanted to be a star. You wanted to walk out to a sold out venue, and,

01:08

I guess this was one way to do it. Yeah. It's one way to do it. So sound guy, it's gonna be the lamest thing you're gonna see this week, but maybe you'll learn something. I don't know.

I guess this was one way to do it. Yeah. It's one way to do it. So sound guy, it's gonna be the lamest thing you're gonna see this week, but maybe you'll learn something. I don't know.

01:17

But this is awesome. What do you think?

But this is awesome. What do you think?

01:21

Working? Fuck you sound guys. It's working?

Working? Fuck you sound guys. It's working?

01:23

Come on, guys.

Come on, guys.

01:25

You could tell who the real podcasters are. I'm sure. So so we did this huge event in Vancouver. We had like twelve hundred people in this massive theater. And Sam sneaks out on the stage. And I'm like, what are you doing? And he's he's peering around the corner taking photos. And he goes, I'm posting this on Facebook. And I was like, who the fuck is his Facebook? That's so weird. And he goes, all the people I went to high school with.

You could tell who the real podcasters are. I'm sure. So so we did this huge event in Vancouver. We had like twelve hundred people in this massive theater. And Sam sneaks out on the stage. And I'm like, what are you doing? And he's he's peering around the corner taking photos. And he goes, I'm posting this on Facebook. And I was like, who the fuck is his Facebook? That's so weird. And he goes, all the people I went to high school with.

01:50

And so we wanted to start off by saying

And so we wanted to start off by saying

01:53

we were laughing backstage. I and we were like, right before we came on, we're like, we gotta talk about Nick Gray.

we were laughing backstage. I and we were like, right before we came on, we're like, we gotta talk about Nick Gray.

01:59

Does anyone here has anyone here met Nick Ray? That was the guy that I was just talking.

Does anyone here has anyone here met Nick Ray? That was the guy that I was just talking.

02:04

I just met him for the first time last night. He is don't know if he's the most interesting man in the world, but he's, like, the most interesting man in Texas, for sure. I I'll give him that. I feel like on this show, we always talk about billionaires.

I just met him for the first time last night. He is don't know if he's the most interesting man in the world, but he's, like, the most interesting man in Texas, for sure. I I'll give him that. I feel like on this show, we always talk about billionaires.

02:16

And there's a lot of money billionaires, but Nick is a friend billionaire.

And there's a lot of money billionaires, but Nick is a friend billionaire.

02:21

Yeah. Last night. So we hosted a dinner last night with, like, well, I don't know, fifteen people.

Yeah. Last night. So we hosted a dinner last night with, like, well, I don't know, fifteen people.

02:26

And Sam had set it all up. It was gonna be perfect.

And Sam had set it all up. It was gonna be perfect.

02:29

He had this, like, high end restaurant

He had this, like, high end restaurant

02:31

table for fourteen. The time was locked in. We got reminders. We show up. It's supposed to be beautiful,

table for fourteen. The time was locked in. We got reminders. We show up. It's supposed to be beautiful,

02:38

you know, just a first class dinner. Everything was taken care of.

you know, just a first class dinner. Everything was taken care of.

02:41

And we get there.

And we get there.

02:43

And immediately, the plan was blown up through. It was raining outside. Raining, like, crazy. And our seat was, like, calf outside. Yeah. So we weren't gonna be able to do it immediately.

And immediately, the plan was blown up through. It was raining outside. Raining, like, crazy. And our seat was, like, calf outside. Yeah. So we weren't gonna be able to do it immediately.

02:52

Nick Gray improvises.

Nick Gray improvises.

02:54

She's like, hold on.

She's like, hold on.

02:57

You six to the bar, and then he sprinted

You six to the bar, and then he sprinted

03:00

because I pulled up. I saw him running. And I was like, Nick, where are you going? And he was like,

because I pulled up. I saw him running. And I was like, Nick, where are you going? And he was like,

03:05

I'm scoping out a venue and he I don't know where he went. He runs into this place and he's like, Hey, is this a event space? It's soaking wet. Yeah. And the women look at each other and they're like,

I'm scoping out a venue and he I don't know where he went. He runs into this place and he's like, Hey, is this a event space? It's soaking wet. Yeah. And the women look at each other and they're like,

03:18

what? And he goes, what's the name of this place? And they go, it's called Miss Kitties. And he's like, you guys in event space? What do you do? He goes,

what? And he goes, what's the name of this place? And they go, it's called Miss Kitties. And he's like, you guys in event space? What do you do? He goes,

03:25

we wax women.

we wax women.

03:26

He goes, oh.

He goes, oh.

03:28

I got fifteen dudes outside. Do you have an event space or not?

I got fifteen dudes outside. Do you have an event space or not?

03:32

But he did. He found us this, like,

But he did. He found us this, like,

03:34

like, abandoned shack almost, this amazing place.

like, abandoned shack almost, this amazing place.

03:38

And he

And he

03:39

Got us. It was really like a shed. It was an abandoned shed, but it was, like, I don't know. It was perfect. It was exactly what we did. It was outside the rain. We were all in. There was quiet. We could talk. And,

Got us. It was really like a shed. It was an abandoned shed, but it was, like, I don't know. It was perfect. It was exactly what we did. It was outside the rain. We were all in. There was quiet. We could talk. And,

03:49

and he hosts this thing. So what Nick does is he has this book called, I think, the two hour cocktail party. And he's basically

and he hosts this thing. So what Nick does is he has this book called, I think, the two hour cocktail party. And he's basically

03:57

perfected the art

perfected the art

03:59

of a two hour party. And I got to see it firsthand. He takes out his harmonica to, like, get everyone's attention and then he,

of a two hour party. And I got to see it firsthand. He takes out his harmonica to, like, get everyone's attention and then he,

04:05

He has this way of getting everybody to open up to talk, to sit in the right places, do the right things.

He has this way of getting everybody to open up to talk, to sit in the right places, do the right things.

04:11

And

And

04:12

it was incredible. The best part, though, was

it was incredible. The best part, though, was

04:14

He saved your he saved you. So so Nick is looking around, and he walks up to me, he goes, Hey, are you all good? Everything good? And I say, okay, I wanna go to the shed. I'm excited. I'm a little bit cold though. Is it gonna be, is it gonna be heated? And he goes, hold on. I'll be right back. And he runs outside. And like Sam said, it's like pouring rain. I don't know if you guys witnessed this yesterday, but it was insane. He comes back. He's soaking wet. He looks like that scene in Glen Gary Glen Ross. When the guy's like at the doorstep, and he brings me this sweatshirt,

He saved your he saved you. So so Nick is looking around, and he walks up to me, he goes, Hey, are you all good? Everything good? And I say, okay, I wanna go to the shed. I'm excited. I'm a little bit cold though. Is it gonna be, is it gonna be heated? And he goes, hold on. I'll be right back. And he runs outside. And like Sam said, it's like pouring rain. I don't know if you guys witnessed this yesterday, but it was insane. He comes back. He's soaking wet. He looks like that scene in Glen Gary Glen Ross. When the guy's like at the doorstep, and he brings me this sweatshirt,

04:42

which he had paid like seventy dollars for. That's who Nick Gray is. And the reason we're bringing this up is not because we'd like him

which he had paid like seventy dollars for. That's who Nick Gray is. And the reason we're bringing this up is not because we'd like him

04:51

To be clear, we like them. To be clear, we like them, but that's not why we're breaking this up. But on our pod, my first million and by the way, is everyone here is anyone who doesn't listen MFM here?

To be clear, we like them. To be clear, we like them, but that's not why we're breaking this up. But on our pod, my first million and by the way, is everyone here is anyone who doesn't listen MFM here?

05:01

Who's here for the graduation?

Who's here for the graduation?

05:03

Yeah. Okay. And who who here actually listens to us regularly?

Yeah. Okay. And who who here actually listens to us regularly?

05:07

Alright. That's good enough. And so

Alright. That's good enough. And so

05:09

we bring up all these, like, weird businesses that a lot of people haven't

we bring up all these, like, weird businesses that a lot of people haven't

05:14

heard about. And this one is probably the weirdest one. He he told me he was gonna write this book about a cocktail party. I thought it was a horrible idea.

heard about. And this one is probably the weirdest one. He he told me he was gonna write this book about a cocktail party. I thought it was a horrible idea.

05:21

And so far he's sold eleven thousand copies of this book, which is insane.

And so far he's sold eleven thousand copies of this book, which is insane.

05:26

And he,

And he,

05:27

and so we have this dinner, and we meet all these interesting people at this, like, fourteen person dinner. I think we had a guy there

and so we have this dinner, and we meet all these interesting people at this, like, fourteen person dinner. I think we had a guy there

05:35

who sold a company that sold dog supplements, which is like the greatest business ever because who knows if it works? Right? Like, you have no idea. He sold his company for six hundred and fifty million dollars.

who sold a company that sold dog supplements, which is like the greatest business ever because who knows if it works? Right? Like, you have no idea. He sold his company for six hundred and fifty million dollars.

05:47

It was insane. And he was telling us the story about this. We had another guy who sells also dog related dog ramps. So, like, So your old or small dog can, like, go up on the couch. And he does eighteen million a year in sales. There was another guy there that has a website that is like a marketplace so you can rent a tractor. And it's killing it. We had a, a person who has a car a bunch of owns a bunch of car washes that does tens of millions in profit. What else? We have anything else that was weird? It was it was crazy. It was different than San Francisco. If you go to San Francisco or New York, you get one type of entrepreneur. You get the, you know, AI crypto. You get that in SF. In New York, you get something else. And in Austin, you get mustache,

It was insane. And he was telling us the story about this. We had another guy who sells also dog related dog ramps. So, like, So your old or small dog can, like, go up on the couch. And he does eighteen million a year in sales. There was another guy there that has a website that is like a marketplace so you can rent a tractor. And it's killing it. We had a, a person who has a car a bunch of owns a bunch of car washes that does tens of millions in profit. What else? We have anything else that was weird? It was it was crazy. It was different than San Francisco. If you go to San Francisco or New York, you get one type of entrepreneur. You get the, you know, AI crypto. You get that in SF. In New York, you get something else. And in Austin, you get mustache,

06:27

hat, tilt, and, like, I I sell tractors online or

hat, tilt, and, like, I I sell tractors online or

06:32

I'll sell your dog some vitamins, you know, you get a different type of entrepreneur. I bet in the I bet in the crowd right now,

I'll sell your dog some vitamins, you know, you get a different type of entrepreneur. I bet in the I bet in the crowd right now,

06:38

we gotta have

we gotta have

06:39

some interesting businesses. Okay. Who who here has a business? Let's get a get a sense of humor. Get a hand up. So keep your hand up if you own a business. And if you do over a hundred raise them high. Raise them high.

some interesting businesses. Okay. Who who here has a business? Let's get a get a sense of humor. Get a hand up. So keep your hand up if you own a business. And if you do over a hundred raise them high. Raise them high.

06:49

If you do over a hundred thousand dollars, keep it up. If you do five hundred thousand, keep it up,

If you do over a hundred thousand dollars, keep it up. If you do five hundred thousand, keep it up,

06:55

one million.

one million.

06:57

Five million.

Five million.

06:58

Okay. We got a few. Okay. Twenty twenty million. Anybody?

Okay. We got a few. Okay. Twenty twenty million. Anybody?

07:02

No. Okay. Back to five. No. No. No. No. We got we got it over here. We got a couple. Okay. Twenty million. Twenty million and up. We got one over here. Okay. Two here. One in the back? Any of those, any of them profitable?

No. Okay. Back to five. No. No. No. No. We got we got it over here. We got a couple. Okay. Twenty million. Twenty million and up. We got one over here. Okay. Two here. One in the back? Any of those, any of them profitable?

07:14

Okay. Alright. Okay, Nick. We wanna talk to these guys. I wanna know what their businesses are. Their hands hand is up. I'm coming over here. Alright. Stand up, please. Let's hear from you. What's your name and what's your business? Kelsey Larick, three sixty five Holdings where an e commerce roll up. Sorry. Can you say that one more time? Three hundred and sixty five.

Okay. Alright. Okay, Nick. We wanna talk to these guys. I wanna know what their businesses are. Their hands hand is up. I'm coming over here. Alright. Stand up, please. Let's hear from you. What's your name and what's your business? Kelsey Larick, three sixty five Holdings where an e commerce roll up. Sorry. Can you say that one more time? Three hundred and sixty five.

07:32

Three sixty five holdings, we roll up e commerce businesses. I wanna be Andrew Wilkinson when I grow up.

Three sixty five holdings, we roll up e commerce businesses. I wanna be Andrew Wilkinson when I grow up.

07:39

That you don't trust me. He he's blushing up here. It's very sad. It sounds good to you. Okay. Great. Who who's the guy next to you?

That you don't trust me. He he's blushing up here. It's very sad. It sounds good to you. Okay. Great. Who who's the guy next to you?

07:47

Justin Turner,

Justin Turner,

07:49

our we have a business that sells equipment to fire departments. What would you mean?

our we have a business that sells equipment to fire departments. What would you mean?

07:54

I love the way you said all that, but I'm gonna can I just try being you for a second?

I love the way you said all that, but I'm gonna can I just try being you for a second?

08:00

Sean Puri

Sean Puri

08:01

Puri debt of debt of the house.

Puri debt of debt of the house.

08:05

Changed diapers.

Changed diapers.

08:07

Like, you just said an awesome thing, but with such, like

Like, you just said an awesome thing, but with such, like

08:10

yeah. You probably read about me. That's the vibe I got. Yeah.

yeah. You probably read about me. That's the vibe I got. Yeah.

08:14

We sell like thirty seven million dollars worth of equipment that fire departments use and firemen use that day.

We sell like thirty seven million dollars worth of equipment that fire departments use and firemen use that day.

08:20

Like, like Yeah. Hoses,

Like, like Yeah. Hoses,

08:23

nozzles.

nozzles.

08:23

Uniforms? Uniforms.

Uniforms? Uniforms.

08:25

And why is okay. So and what about competition? Is it just like you're the only one in town. There's only one place to buy them, or do you have a moat of some kind? We have exclusive

And why is okay. So and what about competition? Is it just like you're the only one in town. There's only one place to buy them, or do you have a moat of some kind? We have exclusive

08:35

distribution

distribution

08:37

relationships in nine of the western states in the US. How much profit on thirty seven million in revenue? It's about ten percent margin. Does it feel in when I ask you these questions? Should I ask, like, what do you look like? Make it? Like, what was it like when you lost your virginity? There's only one way to find out.

relationships in nine of the western states in the US. How much profit on thirty seven million in revenue? It's about ten percent margin. Does it feel in when I ask you these questions? Should I ask, like, what do you look like? Make it? Like, what was it like when you lost your virginity? There's only one way to find out.

08:54

This data is wrong every freaking time.

This data is wrong every freaking time.

08:57

Have you heard of HubSpot?

Have you heard of HubSpot?

08:59

HubSpot is a CRM platform where everything is fully into Well, I can see the client's hold history, calls, support tickets, emails, and here's a test from three days ago I totally missed.

HubSpot is a CRM platform where everything is fully into Well, I can see the client's hold history, calls, support tickets, emails, and here's a test from three days ago I totally missed.

09:11

HubSpot, World Better.

HubSpot, World Better.

09:14

Alright. What else? And who else?

Alright. What else? And who else?

09:16

Who's got a weirder story than that? Everybody got a weirder story in this Please your hand up if you got a really weird business. Okay. Maybe it was, like, weird. Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

Who's got a weirder story than that? Everybody got a weirder story in this Please your hand up if you got a really weird business. Okay. Maybe it was, like, weird. Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

09:25

Hold on one sec, please.

Hold on one sec, please.

09:27

Okay. So this is a paper cusie, but I own a forty thousand square foot print workshop warehouse, and we print real

Okay. So this is a paper cusie, but I own a forty thousand square foot print workshop warehouse, and we print real

09:35

cusies. So, like, it's really niche and it's really random. Not these small boy crews. Shall we hand it out? How long have you been running your business for?

cusies. So, like, it's really niche and it's really random. Not these small boy crews. Shall we hand it out? How long have you been running your business for?

09:42

I've been in business for eight years, but we do a lot of different types printing.

I've been in business for eight years, but we do a lot of different types printing.

09:46

Did you become a millionaire selling beer koozies? That was my first largest e com store that I created. Yeah. Selling koozies because I'm from the Midwest.

Did you become a millionaire selling beer koozies? That was my first largest e com store that I created. Yeah. Selling koozies because I'm from the Midwest.

09:55

And we drink a lot of beer.

And we drink a lot of beer.

09:57

And that's You look like you're from the middle west. Yeah. I just proposed enough.

And that's You look like you're from the middle west. Yeah. I just proposed enough.

10:01

You and I am like I'm close to St. Louis, actually. That's your sister. What's going on here?

You and I am like I'm close to St. Louis, actually. That's your sister. What's going on here?

10:06

We can be a cousin. Right? Anyone else have a really, really weird business,

We can be a cousin. Right? Anyone else have a really, really weird business,

10:10

like dog ramp level, weird business to tell him to let the freak flag fly.

like dog ramp level, weird business to tell him to let the freak flag fly.

10:15

Oh, here we go. Down with the Austin Stash there. Oh, there it is. The the the capital v neck shirt. You just grow those when you fly in as soon as you cross the the border, the the mustache just pops up. We make custom dog treats for hospitality

Oh, here we go. Down with the Austin Stash there. Oh, there it is. The the the capital v neck shirt. You just grow those when you fly in as soon as you cross the the border, the the mustache just pops up. We make custom dog treats for hospitality

10:29

businesses.

businesses.

10:30

So, like, when the Ritz Carlton

So, like, when the Ritz Carlton

10:32

has guests come with dogs? We provide the dog treats that they give to their guests. And why wouldn't they just use normal dog treats? Because ours have their branding on them. Oh, very smart. How big is that? We started ten months ago and we've grown it to half a million in ten months at run rate. Wow. That's cool. Alright. This is cool. We're gonna we're gonna hear more business because little bit later, we're gonna do, like, a shark tanky type of thing with a bunch of, bunch of pitches. Yeah. You're we could put we could put the lights down. Two times. Okay. There we go.

has guests come with dogs? We provide the dog treats that they give to their guests. And why wouldn't they just use normal dog treats? Because ours have their branding on them. Oh, very smart. How big is that? We started ten months ago and we've grown it to half a million in ten months at run rate. Wow. That's cool. Alright. This is cool. We're gonna we're gonna hear more business because little bit later, we're gonna do, like, a shark tanky type of thing with a bunch of, bunch of pitches. Yeah. You're we could put we could put the lights down. Two times. Okay. There we go.

10:58

So the cool part about, like, doing this stuff is we get to meet all these interesting people who are succeeding and some are failing, which is actually just or more interesting.

So the cool part about, like, doing this stuff is we get to meet all these interesting people who are succeeding and some are failing, which is actually just or more interesting.

11:08

But speaking of a big success,

But speaking of a big success,

11:11

Andrew over here took his company home. I thought you're pointing at me.

Andrew over here took his company home. I thought you're pointing at me.

11:16

Andrew over here just took his company public. It's called tiny. It's not that tiny.

Andrew over here just took his company public. It's called tiny. It's not that tiny.

11:22

Yeah. That should be the tagline. It's not that tiny.

Yeah. That should be the tagline. It's not that tiny.

11:27

And you were telling he was telling us a story that we had not heard about almost selling the company

And you were telling he was telling us a story that we had not heard about almost selling the company

11:33

like six years. This was a backstage story. Can we tell it? I think we could yeah. We can we can tell it. So there's there's really two stories. So one By the way, if you don't know, I I gotta did the intro to Andrew

like six years. This was a backstage story. Can we tell it? I think we could yeah. We can we can tell it. So there's there's really two stories. So one By the way, if you don't know, I I gotta did the intro to Andrew

11:43

started this thing called Metalab. It was an agency that made a bunch of, tech stuff for big companies

started this thing called Metalab. It was an agency that made a bunch of, tech stuff for big companies

11:49

Using the profits from that company, he then started buying and investing in other companies,

Using the profits from that company, he then started buying and investing in other companies,

11:55

which that hold company that hold company was or holdco was called, tiny. He recently took it public last week. It's now trading at eight hundred and fifty million Canadian dollars, which is only like six hundred million bucks in real money.

which that hold company that hold company was or holdco was called, tiny. He recently took it public last week. It's now trading at eight hundred and fifty million Canadian dollars, which is only like six hundred million bucks in real money.

12:10

No. But it was it's a huge success, but it all started because he had this agency called Metalab where he was,

No. But it was it's a huge success, but it all started because he had this agency called Metalab where he was,

12:16

You know, like I said, doing stuff for tech people, but you were saying earlier that how that was, like, the foundation for the success of everything else. But you it you almost did something crazy early on. Yeah. So I almost wasn't sitting wouldn't be sitting here. So we're sitting at dinner the other night and talking about this, and,

You know, like I said, doing stuff for tech people, but you were saying earlier that how that was, like, the foundation for the success of everything else. But you it you almost did something crazy early on. Yeah. So I almost wasn't sitting wouldn't be sitting here. So we're sitting at dinner the other night and talking about this, and,

12:34

there's two stories. So one,

there's two stories. So one,

12:37

I got very excited

I got very excited

12:39

you know, when you have a business, you always know how much it sucks, how hard it is to run, and you always admire other people's businesses. And so I always wanted like a SaaS business, sexy business,

you know, when you have a business, you always know how much it sucks, how hard it is to run, and you always admire other people's businesses. And so I always wanted like a SaaS business, sexy business,

12:48

And so I started one. I started this productivity,

And so I started one. I started this productivity,

12:51

business called Flow. It was like Asana,

business called Flow. It was like Asana,

12:54

except we didn't raise any money, and we

except we didn't raise any money, and we

12:58

we had a great product, but it just didn't go anywhere. It's like, task management software. Task management, which you guys One of the hardest things you can do. One of the hardest businesses in the world. And, I got so excited about it at one point that I I was up at like eleven o'clock at night. I was feeling all manic. I'd probably had a couple of beers. And I sent this email of the entire staff, and I said, Guys, we're shutting Metalab down. We're going all in on flow.

we had a great product, but it just didn't go anywhere. It's like, task management software. Task management, which you guys One of the hardest things you can do. One of the hardest businesses in the world. And, I got so excited about it at one point that I I was up at like eleven o'clock at night. I was feeling all manic. I'd probably had a couple of beers. And I sent this email of the entire staff, and I said, Guys, we're shutting Metalab down. We're going all in on flow.

13:19

And Chris, my business partner, who's here somewhere. Where's Chris?

And Chris, my business partner, who's here somewhere. Where's Chris?

13:23

Chris over there.

Chris over there.

13:24

Chris was the CFO at the time, and he looked at the numbers. And he was like, we will be out of business in three months. How big was flow? Floe was doing like three hundred k of revenue. How about Metalab? Two million or something like that. And so How big Metalab when you when when you're Two million maybe at that point? So two million in revenue versus three hundred thousand. Three hundred k or something. I was just like moment of insanity. And Chris went around to all the employees quietly and was like, please don't leave.

Chris was the CFO at the time, and he looked at the numbers. And he was like, we will be out of business in three months. How big was flow? Floe was doing like three hundred k of revenue. How about Metalab? Two million or something like that. And so How big Metalab when you when when you're Two million maybe at that point? So two million in revenue versus three hundred thousand. Three hundred k or something. I was just like moment of insanity. And Chris went around to all the employees quietly and was like, please don't leave.

13:49

Please don't leave. We'll be bankrupt in like a week and save the day. And then the second story was,

Please don't leave. We'll be bankrupt in like a week and save the day. And then the second story was,

13:55

Chris and I We, you know, running an agency is really stressful,

Chris and I We, you know, running an agency is really stressful,

13:59

and we got this offer for the business to sell it for fifteen million. This is about eight or nine years ago, almost ten years ago. And Fifteen one five. Fifteen one five. And, we actually went through the whole process you know, I spent four months going back and forth with this private equity firm. We signed the documents. You know, my lawyer calls me in quivering hand. I signed signed the documents. And the wire is supposed to come in the next day. And so I wake up. I go to my local bank branch, I go to the ATM, and I look at the balance. My balance is the same. And I think, okay, it's probably gonna come in later. So I check later. Nothing. Next day. Nothing. Next day. Nothing. I call the guy at the private equity firm, and he goes, Hey, man. I'm really sorry, but we weren't able to,

and we got this offer for the business to sell it for fifteen million. This is about eight or nine years ago, almost ten years ago. And Fifteen one five. Fifteen one five. And, we actually went through the whole process you know, I spent four months going back and forth with this private equity firm. We signed the documents. You know, my lawyer calls me in quivering hand. I signed signed the documents. And the wire is supposed to come in the next day. And so I wake up. I go to my local bank branch, I go to the ATM, and I look at the balance. My balance is the same. And I think, okay, it's probably gonna come in later. So I check later. Nothing. Next day. Nothing. Next day. Nothing. I call the guy at the private equity firm, and he goes, Hey, man. I'm really sorry, but we weren't able to,

14:44

finish closing our fund. So the deal is not done. So I legally sold the business And if the wire had come in, I would my business would be worth maybe nothing at this point because this was the entire foundation of the business. And we would be we would be tiny. So we almost lost it all. What do you think it's worth now, Metalab? I don't know hundreds of millions for sure, but I don't I don't know. It it all could have

finish closing our fund. So the deal is not done. So I legally sold the business And if the wire had come in, I would my business would be worth maybe nothing at this point because this was the entire foundation of the business. And we would be we would be tiny. So we almost lost it all. What do you think it's worth now, Metalab? I don't know hundreds of millions for sure, but I don't I don't know. It it all could have

15:06

just one decision. Actually, you made the decision. And it's and it was all driven by anxiety. Right? It's panic. Every I'm sure every one of you that runs a business Everyone knows how miserable it is inside. Right? I've you talk to people. You look at them on the outside, you go. They're an amazing operator. They have a great business. But on the inside, there's a great quote by Brent B. Sure. He goes, every business is a slow motion knife fight. Right? Like, you just wake up in the morning, you're sweating and you're fighting. You're trying to survive. Right? And we felt that way, and we pushed through, and it was okay. But we almost gave in. Did you, before you sold the hustle,

just one decision. Actually, you made the decision. And it's and it was all driven by anxiety. Right? It's panic. Every I'm sure every one of you that runs a business Everyone knows how miserable it is inside. Right? I've you talk to people. You look at them on the outside, you go. They're an amazing operator. They have a great business. But on the inside, there's a great quote by Brent B. Sure. He goes, every business is a slow motion knife fight. Right? Like, you just wake up in the morning, you're sweating and you're fighting. You're trying to survive. Right? And we felt that way, and we pushed through, and it was okay. But we almost gave in. Did you, before you sold the hustle,

15:38

to HubSpot,

to HubSpot,

15:40

did you ever

did you ever

15:42

almost did you come close to selling before that? So when I was running the company, I was miserable most every time. So if you go on, like, Facebook or Instagram, look at my pictures from, like, two thousand and seventeen and eighteen, I was lumpy. I was, like, pretty fat.

almost did you come close to selling before that? So when I was running the company, I was miserable most every time. So if you go on, like, Facebook or Instagram, look at my pictures from, like, two thousand and seventeen and eighteen, I was lumpy. I was, like, pretty fat.

15:56

And I was like, because I was eating all the time to, like, make myself feel better. So I was miserable most of the time. And then this one company emailed me

And I was like, because I was eating all the time to, like, make myself feel better. So I was miserable most of the time. And then this one company emailed me

16:05

to,

to,

16:06

they showed interest in buying. And so I flow fly all the way out to New York,

they showed interest in buying. And so I flow fly all the way out to New York,

16:10

and

and

16:11

I start talking to them, and I get in their office,

I start talking to them, and I get in their office,

16:14

And, like, it's empty. And I'm, like, where is everyone? And they're, like, oh, they're doing stuff. And I'm and they take me to, an office to have the meeting And I look in the windows of each office, and they're in a every employee is in a sexual harassment seminar because the CMO had just, like, you know, going off the rails. They did a bunch of bad shit.

And, like, it's empty. And I'm, like, where is everyone? And they're, like, oh, they're doing stuff. And I'm and they take me to, an office to have the meeting And I look in the windows of each office, and they're in a every employee is in a sexual harassment seminar because the CMO had just, like, you know, going off the rails. They did a bunch of bad shit.

16:33

And so they get me in a room. They, like, send me a term sheet, and they're like, we'll buy your company for ten million dollars. But it's gonna be all in stock. And I was like, well, show me the financials. And, like, let me see what's going on with your business. And and I got a peek in it. And the company was vice, vice media,

And so they get me in a room. They, like, send me a term sheet, and they're like, we'll buy your company for ten million dollars. But it's gonna be all in stock. And I was like, well, show me the financials. And, like, let me see what's going on with your business. And and I got a peek in it. And the company was vice, vice media,

16:50

which means that deal, I was so close to taking it. It would be worth zero. I'd probably be in debt because a vice, like, the valuation has just plummeted. And so I almost took that because I was so, like, desperate to get out. Sexual harassment seminar almost saved you. If it did. Yeah. Yes. You're a survivor.

which means that deal, I was so close to taking it. It would be worth zero. I'd probably be in debt because a vice, like, the valuation has just plummeted. And so I almost took that because I was so, like, desperate to get out. Sexual harassment seminar almost saved you. If it did. Yeah. Yes. You're a survivor.

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